A Body at Lavender Cottage

Nurse Kate Palmer is Cornwall’s answer to Miss Marple! But when a body turns up in her own garden can Kate solve the crime? Or is the murder a bit too close to home?

Kate Palmer is stunned when she wakes up one morning to discover the body of a man in the beautiful garden of Lavender Cottage. She’s spent the last few years renovating her cozy, clifftop cottage with its gorgeous views of the sparkling Cornish sea. And a death right under her nose is more than a little unsettling…

When Woody Forrest, Kate’s new husband and the village’s retired detective inspector, takes a closer look he realises the victim is none other than Frank Ford – Woody’s old nemesis. Now, Frank is lying dead amongst the daisies… strangled with Woody’s blue police tie.

Kate is certain the man she loves is not a murderer and is determined to prove his innocence. But who would want to kill Frank and frame Woody? As Kate investigates, Frank’s family seem to be the obvious suspects. Could it be Jason Ford, the youngest son, who has an odd obsession with birdwatching? Sid Kinsella, the angry father-in-law? Or Sharon Mason, the troublesome daughter?

When another member of the Ford family bites the dust while Woody is tending his allotment, it’s clear the killer is determined to bury Woody’s reputation. But when a chance conversation on Bluebell Road provides Kate with a clue, she must find a woman named Rose, who could hold the answers Kate is looking for.

But Kate needs to dig up the truth – and fast! – before poor Woody is thrown behind bars. Can she solve the case and save her husband before it’s too late?

If you love murder mysteries with a brilliant cast of characters, twisty plots and plenty of red herrings, A Body at Lavender Cottage will have you hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.

What readers are saying about the Kate Palmer mysteries:

‘Addictive… fabulous Cornish-set cosy mystery series… brilliantly plotted… full of clever twists and turns and surprises that keep readers guessing… a terrific British cosy mystery I read in a single sitting… top-notch British mystery!’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Delightful cosy mystery… I read it in one sitting when I went to bed… and didn’t stop until I finished it just after 1am… perfect for fans of cosy reads and Agatha Christie.’ Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… awesome twists and turns… so captivating that you are sure to quickly flip page after page. This “curl up on the sofa” mystery will keep your attention and reading quickly, unable to stop until you get to the end. As you flip the last page you are completely stunned as the culprit is revealed… charming mystery is so entertaining.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Like putting on a pair of comfy slippers and curling up in the chair for a cozy night in front of the fire… intense and rich in atmosphere… it moves along at a cracking pace… excellent… plenty of twists and turns in this plot, with loads of red herrings planted along the way.’ Fiction Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A superb cosy mystery… it’s simply the perfect book to escape from the troubles of the world and inhabit someone else’s even for a few hours… a fun, fast-paced, easy read.’ Readers Retreat, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The plot really sucked me in… enjoyed curling up on the sofa and getting dragged into this cosy mystery. I was so absorbed I read it in one sitting… An intriguing and compelling cosy mystery that is perfect for Agatha Christie fans.’ Bookworm 86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐